Being half American is very dear to me especially when that ties me to Virginia, where my Mother was born in Lynchburg. I've always felt at home there especially as an escape from the frenetic pace of London so you couldn't have a better location for an artistic retreat. At the end of a long winding driveway, tucked amongst lush woodland with the Blue Ridge Mountains on the horizon you'll find the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA). Since I've been collaborating with them on an auction lot to raise funds during their Fête Champêtre on Saturday April 29th 2017, I was delighted to have the chance to look round their grounds, hear how things are run and even meet a couple of their residents last time I was in town.

Yes, we know, it seems premature to think about what's going to go under the tree this year but if you're thinking about buying bespoke for that someone special then now is around about the perfect time.

A client set us the challenge to create a ring setting for their magnificently carved moonstone. Working with their ideas and inspirations, we designed this hand carved, black rhodium plated silver ring.